I chose Bayanihan Linux to be my first Linux experience since it has always been presented as an alternative Operating System for Filipinos. In a country where anyone can easily access a boot leg version of the popular Windows, a free Operating System will certainly a very good alternative for all those running on a tight budget and wanted to use legit software. I also wanted to see what the Philippines’ Department of Science and Technology has to offer.

Installing the Bayanihan Linux is a very easy task, it took a bit longer than the other Operating Systems (XP and Vista) I have installed but it turned out pretty well.

Upon installation, it will ask you for a user name and password, on my very first try, I decided to leave everything blank and this turned out to be a costly mistake. Be sure to put something as a user name and password or else you will never be able to log-in.

It will also ask you for the monitor you are using, but since this is quite an old OS (even if version 4 is the latest) I am definitely sure that your monitor model is not included in the list. Just declare your monitor as a generic LCD then configure your resolution.

First thing I have noticed with Bayanihan is that in using VMWare, you will not be able to re-size the window while its running. Bayanihan, will only go full screen.

Even if I tried to set the LCD setting during installation when Bayanihan was actually working the screen was configured at 640×480 only and I honestly cannot change it.

The desktop has “My Home” which is equivalent to “My Documents”. “Bayanihan Manual” which is also available for download on their website. My Network, Trash and Floppy Device (DOST should really update this Operating System).

Clicking “Menu” will give you a list of all the applications installed.

Here’s a couple…

Edutainment – is a folder for apps installed which are supposed to be fun and educational.

Games – we all know what this is.

Graphics – for all your photo editing and viewing needs

Internet

Multimedia

Office – Open Office is pre-installed

The only thing I cannot understand with this Operating System is that it has two (2) web browsers, Firefox and Konqueror. Three (3) image viewers and two (2) media players. It even has two (2) pdf viewers!

Presently I configured my Mac to run with the following for this OS. 256mb RAM, 1 processor 2ghz, 8gigs hard disk.

Start up is around two (2) minutes.

You can view this video I have taken from my mobile phone. Please note that I only took a video of Bayanihan starting up just to see how long it will take to boot.

From the menu, you will see the programs installed and if your eyes are clear enough, you will notice the 2 web browsers, 2 PDF viewers and 3 image viewers

The end of the video was not how I wanted it to be. Bayanihan crashed!

I have now un-installed this Bayanihan and I will be trying another Linux distro soon. But for now, I’m sticking with my Leopard and Vista.